Resveratrol and Red Wine Grape Polyphenols: 

Nature’s Longevity and Healing Compounds  

Table of Contents 

Calorie Restriction and Longevity

Resveratrol Dosage

Types of Resveratrol Supplements

Recommendations for Supplements  

Resveratrol Safety

Human Clinical Trials

Consumer Testimonials 

WHITE PAPER EXCERPT: CLICK HERE to read entire White Paper

Age eventually conquers all.  As our bodies age, we undergo a significant transformation in cell structure, bone and muscle mass, hormones, immunities, and cognitive abilities.  This deterioration is compounded by cumulative stress, and the potential for heart disease, diabetes, neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s, and cancer.  All in all, it is not a pretty picture. 

Yet, some people do age better than others, and live long healthy lives.  A growing number of people are living into their nineties and even past the century mark.  While  heredity and DNA markers surely contribute to our eventual lifespan, scientists have proven over decades of research that in addition to exercise and mental activity, diet and nutraceutical supplementation can not only prolong life, but can also allow us to lead healthier lives.  Proof that people have accepted these discoveries is evidenced by the explosive growth in health foods, organic foods, and nutritional supplements. 

Medical science has grown exponentially since the early 1900s.  During that same period, the average lifespan of humans has increased an average of 3 months each year, or a total of 30 years! Current advancements in nutrition have spawned a large nutraceutical supplement industry, and ingredients such as Resveratrol, Quercetin, and red wine grape polyphenols may be key ingredients to continued advancements in longevity research leading people to live longer, and live longer healthier.

About the Author:

Mark Juliano is an Adjunct Professor at Carnegie Mellon University, and President, CEO, and Founder of Vinomis Laboratories, a nutraceutical company that manufactures supplements based on Resveratrol, Quercetin and Red Wine Grape extracts.  He holds a BSE from Princeton, and an MBA from Stanford, and has authored numerous scientific and technical papers. 

Decades ago, scientists discovered the French Paradox, and determined that despite a high fat diet, the French lived longer and healthier, and have concluded that the reason is their daily dose of red wine.

Most recently, discoveries by Dr. Joseph Baur and Dr. David Sinclair at Harvard Medical School in 2006 have shown that there are natural plant extracts that can activate survival genes and mimic the longevity effects of calorie restriction, without having to dramatically restrict calorie intake.

After investigating over 20,000 compounds, 19 of these compounds were identified, and 17, all polyphenols with strong antioxidant properties, are found in red wine grapes, including Resveratrol and Quercetin. Further, these polyphenols work together, and enable one another to stay longer in the blood stream – termed bioavailability.

Studies on fish, mice, and worms and flies have shown that lifespan, and healthy lifespan, can be prolonged by 60%, 25%, and 30% respectively using Resveratrol and a normal calorie diet.

Even more impressive is that 1) they lived healthier lives by the prevention and delay of age-related diseases, and 2) even obese animals, who typically have age-related complications, lived normal-aged lives.

Health Benefits

Among the benefits discovered scientific research are:

• Powerful antioxidant
• Anti-inflammatory,
• Blood thinner and anti-coagulant (reduces risk for artery clotting)
• Normalization of blood sugar (for diabetes),
• Increase mental capacity and memory,
• Increase in strength and endurance,
• Removal of amyloid-beta proteins that may cause Alzheimer’s, and
• (even an) Inhibitor of many types of cancers (lung, colon, skin, liver and pancreatic).

Can it really be that all of these age-related issues may be dealt with using simply plant polyphenols compounds? Quite possibly, the answer is yes.

Exclusive Harvard Medical School patent

Vinomis has an exclusive Harvard Medical School license for proprietary science and has formulated its products using these principals. Harvard scientists found that when certain plants are put into a stressed xenohormetic environment (dehydration, infection, heat, cold, extreme UV exposure, etc.) they produce concentrated polyphenols such as Resveratrol and Quercetin. Many grapes are grown under these stressed conditions.

Marywood University study on Vindure 900 combination

In 2006, Xenomis, LLC. conducted a study on humans in conjunction with Dr. James Smoliga of Marywood University using the formulation:

• 400 mg of 98% pure Resveratrol
• 400 mg Red Wine Grape extract
• 100 mg Quercetin

This is the identical combination of ingredients found in Vindure 900.

The Smoliga study showed significant improvements in energy level, strength, endurance, and verbal memory. A second study is underway with 400 mg of pure red wine grape extract.

Naturex French study

Vinomis Red Wine Grape Extract™ uses whole grape extract from Naturex, called PowerGrape. In a study in 2005, a collaboration between researchers from Avantage Nutrition and the French Agronomic Research Institute (INRA), athletes were given 400 mg of Naturex Bordeaux extract per day. Results indicated a reduction in the risk of muscular damage, improvement in sports performance, improved recovery capacity, and improved antioxidant status.

Powerful Antioxidant

Brunswick Laboratories, the leader in antioxidant testing of foods and supplements, has determined that each Vindure 900 tablet from Vinomis Laboratories has an ORAC rating of 19,638, over six times times the USDA recommended daily consumption of at least 3000 ORAC units.

Other Scientific Studies

Grape extract reduces heart disease risk. In 2006, researchers at UC Davis assessed the effect of red grape extract on metabolic syndrome, a combination of factors that increase the risk for heart disease, including high blood pressure, excess abdominal body weight, high blood cholesterol fats and high blood sugar. A study at the University of Wisconsin of 15 adults with coronary artery disease discovered that the flavenoids (types of polyphenols) in red grapes may prevent cardiovascular events.

Resveratrol may block colon cancer. The Cancer Center at UC Irvine, followed up on previous in vitro studies showing that Resveratrol blocks a cellular signaling pathway known as the WNT pathway, which has been linked to more than 85 percent of sporadic colon cancers – the most common form of colon cancer.

Beneficial Effects of Quercetin. At the University of Western Australia, in Perth, a study using 200mg of Quercetin found that dietary flavonoids may improve endothelial function and ultimately lead to beneficial cardiovascular effects.

Grape extract increases energy production in cells – In 2006, athletes in Belgium was given 400 mg of Bordeaux red grape extract per day. Results included a 14% increase in lipophile antioxidant capacity, and a 96% increase in an antioxidant involved in energy production in cells.

Decades ago, scientists also discovered the French Paradox, and determined that despite a high fat diet, the French lived longer and healthier, and have concluded that the causes had largely to do with their daily dose of Red Wine.

More recently, discoveries by Dr. Joseph Baur and Dr. David Sinclair at Harvard Medical School in 2006, coupled with many follow-on university and research laboratory studies (including University of Pennsylvania, Marywood University, Yale, University of Michigan, University of Connecticut, Wake Forest, Oregon State, University of South Carolina, and many more), have shown that there are natural plant extracts that can activate sirtuin “survival genes” which increase longevity and reduce the incidence of age-related illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and even cancer.

These natural plant extracts were discovered after investigating over 20,000 compounds. Nineteen (19) of these compounds were identified, and 17 (all polyphenols with strong antioxidant properties) are found in Red Wine Grapes, including Resveratrol, Quercetin Catechin, and others. Futhermore, it has been proven that the combination of these red wine polyphenols allow them to work together, and to remain longer in the blood stream (bioavailability) after being ingested.

Extensive medical research has been conducted by university professors, pharmaceutical companies, and nutraceutical companies into the medical benefits of red wine extracts. These studies have shown many health benefits including: anti-inflammatory, blood thinning and reduced risk for artery clotting (anti-coagulant), normalization of blood sugar (for diabetes), increase mental capacity and memory, increase in strength and endurance, and even the inhibition of many types of cancers (lung, colon, skin, liver and pancreatic).

Parts of the Grape

There are basically three (3) parts that have different components of beneficial polyphenols: 1) pulp, 2) skins, and 3) seeds. Studies have been conducted with each of these components, as well as the overall combination (whole grapes), and have shown a variety of positive results. The best supplements use whole grape extracts, which ensure you’re getting the full complement of polyphenols from all parts of the red wine grapes.

Red Wine and Grape Juice

A logical question is whether or not the same health benefits can be derived from red wine and grape juice. While these liquids produce health benefits, a person would consume entirely too much alcohol and calories to get the equivalent dosage of a nutraceutical supplement.

Dosages

Assuming a high quality extraction and concentration system is used, red wine grapes can be expected to achieve up to 90% concentration of polyphenols (be sure to check the Supplement Label). If the polyphenol concentration is not listed, be cautious, as it is most likely inferior-grade product.

Approximately 500 mg of Red Wine grape extract is equivalent to one (1) bottle of high quality red wine. This is the concentration used by Dr. Smoliga in his studies, and by Naturex with their PowerGrape product.

Types of Red Wine Grape Supplements

There are two (2) broad categories of Red Wine grape supplements on the market today:

1. Pure Red Wine Grape supplements

These use a variety of different types of red wine grapes, whole grapes, grape skins, grape seeds, etc. Each claim a different amount of polyphenols and Resveratrol based upon the types of grapes used, the extraction and concentration process. Each have a slightly different blend of polyphenols, and again, the total concentration of about 90% polyphenols will be the maximum achievable level.

The maximum level of a specific polyphenol, such as Resveratrol, will generally be in the 5-10% range. So for a 500 mg red wine grape supplement, the most Resveratrol or Quercetin, for example, would be 25 – 50 mg (not very much, and well below therapeutic dosage).

2. Polyphenol Formulations with Red Wine Grape Extracts

As stated, there is only so much Resveratrol, Quercetin, Catechin, and other specific polyphenols that can be extracted and concentrated irrespective of the types of grapes, or process used. In order to maximize a particular polyphenol, it must be specifically added.

Products such as Vindure 900, for example, add an additional 400 mg of Resveratrol and 100 mg of Quercetin, which means you’re getting the Resveratrol-equivalent of over 100 bottles of red wine in a single daily dosage

Recommendations

According to Dr. Joseph Maroon in an article published by Bottom Line Health, in September 2009 (The Simple Supplement that May Prevent killer Diseases – All about resveratrol), “because Resveratrol absorption is thought to be enhanced when combined with other natural polyphenols, a mixed-polyphenol supplement is best.” [Dr. Maroon is a professor of neurological surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) and author of The Longevity Factor: How Resveratrol and Red Wine Activate Genes for a Longer and Healthier Life ]

Red Wine Grape Studies (reference)

Grape extract and Resveratrol improves endurance and memory. In 2006, 54 sedentary adults were given a mixture of 400 mg red wine grape extract, 400 mg of Resveratrol, and 100 mg of Quercetin. Results included improved (decreased) submaximal heart rate, improved neurocognitive performance, and improved memory. By Dr. James Smoliga of Marywood University. A second study is underway with 400 mg of only pure whole red wine grape extract.

Grape extract improves athletic performance and recovery. A group of twenty athletes, aged between 18 and 34 took part in the study in 2005, a collaboration between researchers from Avantage Nutrition and the French Agronomic Research Institute (INRA). the athletes were given 400mg of Bordeaux extract per day. Results indicate that the grape extract could reduce the risk of muscular damage, improve the explosive sports performance during effort, improve recovery capacity after effort, and improve the antioxidant status in athletes.

Grape extract reduces heart disease risk. Conducted by UC Davis cardiovascular researchers in 2006, the study was the first human clinical trial to assess the effect of grape extract on people with metabolic syndrome, a combination of risk factors that increase the risk for heart disease, including high blood pressure, excess abdominal body weight, high blood cholesterol fats and high blood sugar. In 24 patients, the extract lowered blood pressure by 8-12 points.

Grape extract reduces incidence of heart attacks. A study at the University of Wisconsin of 15 adults with coronary artery disease discovered that the flavenoids in red grapes may prevent cardiovascular events. A 14 day supplementation improved endothelial function and reduced the susceptibility of LDL cholesterol to oxidation.

Click “A Key to Human Longevity” to read entire article

Excerpt:

“When asked, “would you want to live to 150, 200 or 500 years old?” most people answer, “NO!” Upon additional probing, generally one of two explanations arises.

One, we weren’t meant to live twice as long (or forever). Frankly, I don’t really believe this answer. In Classical Greece and Rome, the average life expectancy was about 25 years old. In the early 1900s, it was 35 – 40 worldwide. Since the year 1900, human lifespan has increased about 3 months each year. So over the 100-year century, average lifespan increased 300 months, or 25 years.

Not surprisingly, I don’t find many people volunteering to take 25 years off of their own lives. In fact, just the opposite is true. People will do almost anything to live longer. Pharmaceutical companies, doctors, patients and their families have demonstrated that if a cancer drug can increase the lifespan of a terminally ill person by only 6 – 12 months, the drug will sell over $1 Billion per year.

Given the acceleration of medical and nutritional advancements, it is certainly reasonable to assume that humans will have an average lifespan well over 100 years within this century, and lifespan could double in the subsequent century.

The second explanation I hear is more illuminating. People say, “I wouldn’t want to prolong my life if it meant living like many old people I know.” In other words, they’d only choose to live that much longer if they could live a healthy life.”

Resveratrol and Red Wine Grape Polyphenols – Nature’s Healing Compounds

Except from the Article:

“Researchers have known since the 1930s that organisms, animals, and even humans can live a longer, healthier lives through calorie restriction, which activates “survival genes” later discovered to be sirtuin (SIRT) genes and enzymes. Most recently, discoveries by Dr. Joseph Baur and Dr. David Sinclair at Harvard Medical School in 2006, coupled with many follow on studies, have shown that there are natural plant extracts that can activate sirtuins and mimic calorie restriction, without having to dramatically restrict calorie intake.

These natural plant extracts were discovered after investigating over 20,000 compounds. Nineteen (19) of these compounds (all polyphenols with strong antioxidant properties) were identified, and 17 are found in red wine grapes, including Resveratrol and Quercetin.

Studies on fish, mice, and worms and flies have shown that lifespan, and healthy lifespan, can be prolonged by 60%, 25%, and 30% respectively using Resveratrol and a normal calorie diet.”

“Medical science has grown exponentially over the last century. During that period, the average lifespan of humans has increased an average of 3 months each year, or 30 years total. Current advancements in nutrition, such as the discovery of Resveratrol, Quercetin, and red wine grape polyphenols may be a key ingredient to continued advancements in longevity research leading to longer, healthier lives.”

Most recently, discoveries by Dr. Joseph Baur and Dr. David Sinclair at Harvard Medical School in 2006, coupled with many follow-on university and research laboratory studies (including University of Pennsylvania, Marywood University, Yale, University of Michigan, University of Connecticut, Wake Forest, Oregon State, University of South Carolina, Ohio State, and many more), have shown that there are natural plant extracts that can activate sirtuins and mimic the longevity effects of calorie restriction, without having to dramatically restrict calorie intake.

These natural plant extracts were discovered after investigating over 20,000 compounds. Nineteen (19) of these compounds were identified, and 17 (all polyphenols with strong antioxidant properties) are found in red wine grapes, including Resveratrol and Quercetin. Futhermore, it has been proven that the combination of these polyphenols allow them to work together, and to remain in the blood stream (bioavailability), and stay in contact with cells longer after being ingested.

Studies on fish, mice, and worms and flies have shown that lifespan, and healthy lifespan, can be prolonged by 60%, 25%, and 30% respectively using Resveratrol and a normal calorie diet. Even more impressive is that these studies have shown that 1) animals also lived healthier lives due to the prevention and/or delay of the onset of age-related diseases such as diabetes, neurological disorders, heart disease, and cancer, and 2) even obese animals, who would normally have many complications, lived normal-aged lives.

Resveratrol and red grape polyphenols are “all the rage” these days, and supply and demand is growing in leaps and bounds in terms of its inclusion in supplements, foods, drinks, etc. However, it should again be noted that while Resveratrol has the highest SIRT gene activation, other polyphenols found in red wine grapes such as Quercetin and Catechins, are not far behind, and work in concert with Resveratrol.

Latest Medical Research

Extensive medical research has been conducted by university professors, pharmaceutical companies, and nutraceutical companies into the medical benefits of red wine extracts, Quercetin, and Resveratrol ingredients.

These studies have shown many health benefits including: anti-inflammatory, blood thinning and reduced risk for artery clotting (anti-coagulant), normalization of blood sugar (for diabetes), increase mental capacity and memory, increase in strength and endurance, removal of amyloid-beta proteins that may cause brain damage associated with Alzheimer’s, and even the inhibition of many types of cancers (lung, colon, skin, liver and pancreatic).

Can it really be that all of these age-related issues may be dealt with using simply plant polyphenols compounds? Quite possibly, the answer is yes.

CLICK HERE to get to Bio-Medicine website

Red wine’s resveratrol may help battle obesity

Resveratrol, a compound present in grapes and red wine, reduces the number of fat cells and may one day be used to treat or prevent obesity, according to a new study. The results will be presented at The Endocrine Society’s 90th Annual Meeting in San Francisco.

Past research found thatresveratrol protected laboratory mice that were fed a high-calorie diet from the health problems of obesity, by mimicking the effects of calorie restriction. Researchers at the University of Ulm in Germany wanted to know ifresveratrol could mimic the effects of calorie restriction in human fat cells by changing their size or function. The German team used a strain of human fat cell precursors, called preadipocytes. In the body, these cells develop into mature fat cells, according to the study’s lead author, Pamela Fischer-Posovszky, PhD, a pediatric endocrinology research fellow in the university’s Diabetes and Obesity Unit.

In the cell-based study, they found that resveratrol inhibited the pre-fat cells from increasing and prevented them from converting into mature fat cells. Also, resveratrolhindered fat storage. Most interesting, according to Fischer-Posovszky, was that resveratrolreduced production of certain cytokines (interleukins 6 and 8), substances that may be linked to the development of obesity-related disorders, such as diabetes and clogged coronary arteries. Also, resveratrol stimulated formation of a protein known to decrease the risk of heart attack. Obesity decreases this substance, called adiponectin.

The new finding is consistent with the theory that the resveratrol in red wine explains the French paradox, the observation that French people eat a relatively high-fat diet but have a low death rate from heart disease.

“Resveratrol has anti-obesity properties by exerting its effects directly on the fat cells,” Fischer-Posovszky said. “Thus, resveratrol might help to prevent development of obesity or might be suited to treatin

These survival genes were discovered by Dr. Joseph Baur and Dr. David Sinclair at Harvard Medical School and reported in Nature Magazine in 2006. Through a variety of studies and experiments, these doctors/professors proved that calorie restriction triggered a so-called (survival) chain reaction that activates survival genes (sirtuins). This process slows cellular aging. In subsequent studies, these doctors were able to “mimic” calorie restriction and activate survival genes (without calorie restriction) with Resveratrol, and 17 other polyphenol compounds commonly found in red wine grapes.

According to Dr. Joseph Maroon, in a recent article in Bottom Line Health, “Resveratrol has been shown not only to enhance muscle strength and reduce fatigue, but also to help prevent heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer … clear away the toxic proteins that case Alzheimer’s disease … and even lengthen life span by 25%… Resveratrol and other polyphenols were found to increase the life span of flies by 60%, worms and flies by 30%, and mice by 25%.”

Dr. Maroon also states:

“Take a mixed-polyphenol supplement. I recommend the mixed polyphenol supplement Vindure 900, a product developed by Vinomis Laboratories based on Harvard University research…because Resveratrol absorption is thought to be enhanced when combined with other natural polyphenols, a mixed-polyphenol supplement is best.”

CLICK HERE to visit the Learning Center

Among other topics:

• Aging
  • Damage to DNA
  • Error Theories
  • Stress, Depression, etc.
• Articles
  • All about Resveratrol
• Calorie Restriction
  • Human Evidence
• Competitive Products
• Foods and Drinks
  • Balanced Diet
  • Cancer Causing Foods
  • Dark Chocolate
  • Dr. Maroon’s Recommendations
  • Green Tea
• Grapes and Red Wine
  • Grape Seed Extract & Colon Cancer
  • Resveratrol, Wine or Grapes?
• Green Tea
  • Diabetes
  • Green Tea Benefits
• Longevity
• Medical Benefits
  • Arthritis
  • Baseline Medical Evaluation
  • Increased Energy Level
  • Leukaemia
  • Liver Protection
• Pharmaceuticals
• Polyphenols
• Quercetin
• Red Wine Grape Extracts
  • Clinical Trials
  • Muscadine Grapes
• Resveratrol
  • Resveratrol Dosage
  • Safety
  • Sources of Resveratrol
• Scientific Research

Joseph Maroon, MD

University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Bottom Line Heath, September 2009

The Simple Supplement that

May Prevent Killer Diseases

All about resveratrol

When it comes to “hot” supplements, resveratrol is high on the list. Multiple studies conducted on laboratory animals have demonstrated the highly beneficial effects on this polyphenol (a class of plant chemicals), which is found most abundantly in the skins of grapes and in red wine – and now is available in supplement form.

Key animal findings: Resveratrol has been shown not only to enhance muscle strength and reduce fatigue, but also to help prevent heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer … clear away the toxic proteins that cause Alzheimer’s disease … and even lengthen life span by 25%.

But can this substance do the same for humans?

AN IMPORTANT DISCOVERY

Resveratrol’s emergence as an anti-aging and disease-fighting powerhouse began in the 1930s with a seemingly unrelated finding – that sever calorie restriction extended the lives of rodents by 40 to 50%.

It wasn’t until the 1990s, however, that researchers from Harvard Medical School discovered the genetic basis for the beneficial effect of calorie restriction. Through various experiments in animal studies, calorie restriction was shown to trigger a kind of chain reaction that activates “survival genes” (sirtuins), which, in turn, energize an enzyme (SIR2) that stabilizes DNA. This process slows cellular aging.

In further studies, researchers discovered that resveratrol is one of the most potent sources of the molecules that activate these survival genes.

CURRENT EVIDENCE

To further test resveratrol’s benefits, researchers conducted other animal studies – this time without calorie restriction. Resveratrol and other polyphenols were found to increase the life span of fish by 60% … worms and flies by 30% … and mice by 25% — benefits attributed to improved cellular health.

Resveratrol-enhanced cells are believed to help fight …

Hearth disease and stroke. Resveratrol appears to decrease harmful inflammation, which contributes to cardiovascular disease.

Breakthrough research: A human study showed that drinking one-and-a-half glasses of red wine a day lowered, by 40%, level of lipid peroxide, a by-product of inflammation that damages arteries. This and other health benefits are believed to be due to resveratrol and several other polyphenols in red wine.

Through various animal studies, resveratrol was shown to spark the production of the beneficial gas nitric oxide, which gives blood vessels more flexibility. Resveratrol also thins the blood, reducing the risk for artery-clogging clot. In studies of animals with induced heart attacks, those given resveratrol had a significantly lower fatality rate. In similar studies on stroke, resveratrol prevented paralysis and limited brain injury in animals.

Cancer. Eighteen different types of cancer – including lung, colon, skin, liver, and pancreatic – have been markedly inhibited by resveratrol in laboratory studies using both animal and human cells.

Diabetes. In animals, resveratrol helps normalize blood sugar (glucose) levels by moving glucose out of the bloodstream into cells. Laboratory research also shows that resveratrol reduces diabetic neuropathy (nerve pain that often occurs in the legs and feet).

New finding: In human study, a synthetic, resveratrol-like compound was shown to give people the same type of glucose control that resveratrol gives mice.

Alzheimer’s disease: In animal studies, resveratrol helps remove the amyloid-beta protein that causes the brain damage associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

New finding: In a study of 90 healthy people, researchers at Marywood University in Scranton found that a supplement containing resveratrol and other polyphenols improved memory and sped up reaction time.

RESVERATROL SOURCES

Even though the preliminary research is promising, there is a caveat. You would have to drink up to 1,150 bottles of red wine daily to get the amount of resveratrol used in most animal studies.

Since that’s not feasible, I recommend a more practical approach that includes two things – a regular diet of resveratrol and polyphenol-rich foods (the resveratrol is far lower than the doses used in animal studies, but these foods contain other beneficial compounds that may enhanced absorption of resveratrol from food and/or supplements) … and the use of a mixed polyphenol supplement or a resveratrol supplement.

That synergy – along with regular exercise and a lifestyle that includes the heath-promoting effects of close emotional ties with family and friends – is your best bet for fighting chronic disease and living longer. My advice …

Eat a polyphenol-rich diet. Resveratrol is the superstar of polyphenols, but many scientists think that a combination of polyphenols – ingesting them together, as they are found in nature – is the best way to activate survival genes.

The foods richest in resveratrol and a variety of other polyphenols …

Red wine or red grape juice. These are the top dietary sources of resveratrol. Important: Wine grapes with the most resveratrol include pinot noir, merlot, Grenache, cabernet sauvignon and tempranillo. (These wines also deliver up to about 500 different polyphenols along with resveratrol.) Suggested daily intake: Four to 16 ounces of red grape juice daily (be mindful of the sugar content). Up to 12 ounces of red wine daily for men … and no more than six ounces daily for women (the potential health benefit of daily wine consumption by women must be weighed against a possible increase in breast cancer risk).

Pomegranate juice. It is a good source of resveratrol and many other antioxidants. Suggested daily intake:  Three to five ounces.

Dark chocolate. It is a rich source of concentrated flavonols, a potent type of polyphenol. Select unsweetened or semi-sweetened varieties with at least 70% cocoa. Suggested inake: One bite-sized square.

Green tea. Green tea contains resveratrol and is rich in epigallo-catechin gallate (EGCG) and other polyphenols. Suggested daily intake: Three eight-ounce cups. Decaffeinated green tea contains EGCG but relatively little resveratrol.

Blueberries. They are rich in procyanidins and other polyphenols. Suggested daily intake: At least one cup (fresh or frozen).

Take a mixed-polyphenol supplement. I recommend the mixed polyphenol supplement Vindure 900, a product developed by Vinomis Laboratories based on Harvard University research. Vindure is available from Vinomis Laboratories (877-484-6664, www.vinomis.com). Cost: $40 for 30 tablets. Follow the dosage recommendation on the label.

Because resveratrol absorption is though to be enhanced when combined with other natural polyphenols, a mixed-polyphenol supplement is best.

However, an alternative is to …

Take a resveratrol supplement. There are more than 300 resveratrol-containing products now available. The best products are made with trans-resveratrol (the active form of the substance shown by professional testing to activate the sirtuin “survival genes”) … and produced by manufacturers who comply with “Good Manufacturing Practices” (GMP), which ensures that the product contains no major contaminants.

My favorite resveratrol products are manufactured by …

Longevinex, www.longevinex.com, 866-405-4000 … 30 capsules for $37.

RevGenetics, at www.myrevgenetics.com, 888-738-4363 … 30 capsules for $43.

Suggested intake for most resveratrol supplements: 250 mg to 500 mg daily.

Bottom Line/Health interviewed Joseph Maroon, MD a professor of neurological surgery and Heindl Scholar in Neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and team neurosurgeon for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He is the author of The Longevity Factor: How Resveratrol and Red Wine Activate Genes for a Longer and Healthier Life (Atria). www.josephmaroon.com.